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Karen · Posted: March 06 2009, 11:45 AM Post subject: standardized testing

Has anyone's child been through state standardized testing? Alexis will start testing the end of this month. She will be give extra time and a scribe. I am really stressing about this. She hasn't been held back yet and has been in a regular ed room up until now (3rd grade) where she is pulled out for resource (reading and math). I just don't know what to expect and her IEP has been scheduled following these tests. Any thoughts/opinions/suggestions?

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Karen
Mom to Alexis
"There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability - it is the ability to recognize ability"

Proud Parent · Posted: March 06 2009, 1:42 PM Post subject: Reply

Have you considered GAA (Georgia Alternate Assessment). We included it in Dylon's IEP? I just did not want him tested through standardized methods when this option was available. With this option his knowledge based is based on progression with IEP goals etc.....

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momofrussell · Posted: March 08 2009, 10:19 AM Post subject:

Russell does the alternative standardized testing....and I don't stress over it because it is what it is... BUT, Russell is not included in the gen ed population like your daughter is.

Before you and your team ever decided to go from regular stadardized testing with accomodations to the alternative testing format, you need to know that will then set a precident that your child will NOT get a HS diploma..... if that is not an issue, then it's no biggy. Russell won't get a HS diploma... but for us it's ok. BUT.. for kids that ARE included and are doing well, your team needs to explain to you that changing to alternative standardized testing then changes the course of things in the years to come.

There is also more to it (have to do with benchmarks vs. no benchmarks), but I don't want to confuse you for no reason! HA!

Good luck!!!

A.

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lespring · Posted: March 08 2009, 12:07 PM Post subject:

Hmmmm Angela has done alternative testing for the past 2 years. (prior to that she was doing the regular testing.) She will "walk" with everyone else, and wil get a diploma. Her diploma will look exactly the same as everyone else's. It's her records that will look different.

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Karen · Posted: March 09 2009, 1:34 PM Post subject:

Thanks everyone for your comments. The alternative test was mentioned at her 2nd grade end of year IEP but everyone said she wasn't a candidate to take it because she tested out of special ed. I just don't know how well she'll do on "standardized" testing as she can be very moody and if she decides not to do the test - there's no changing her mind.

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Karen
Mom to Alexis
"There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability - it is the ability to recognize ability"

momofrussell · Posted: March 09 2009, 3:30 PM Post subject:

Leah, I sent you a PM. Wink

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Adrienne - mom to: Regan 17, Russell 12 DS, Autism, Visually Impaired, Reece 10.

DSAGSL 2009 Buddy Walk

Karen · Posted: March 13 2009, 1:30 PM Post subject: standardized testing

Adrienne,
Thanks for the input. What is the issue with "benchmarks" vs. "benchmarks"? Alexis's IEP is scheduled April 23 and I want to go in
with as much knowledge as possible. The school has typically been very good in working with me but now that it comes down to numbers I'm guessing things might try to change. I know of a couple of parents whose children graduated with a regular ed diploma - but that was years back when the state would let the kids take an out-of-level test (testing one year behind). Curriculum changes have nixed that. Thanks for any suggestions.

_________________

Karen
Mom to Alexis
"There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability - it is the ability to recognize ability"

momofrussell · Posted: March 13 2009, 1:57 PM Post subject:

IDEA 2004 took out the need for benchmarks as a whole. Now, Russell has them in his IEP but they aren't required. When putting in benchmarks it can set up a precident for the alternative testing and not the regluar state testing.

So, if this is the IEP you will be discussing alternative vs. regular state testing, just ask them how things will look on the IEP... and if there are benchmarks on the IEP or not. I know a few parents locally that got benchmarks taken out of their children's IEP's after 2004.... we still have them but that's ok for Russell.

A.

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Adrienne - mom to: Regan 17, Russell 12 DS, Autism, Visually Impaired, Reece 10.

DSAGSL 2009 Buddy Walk

momofrussell · Posted: March 13 2009, 2:05 PM Post subject:

Here, just to put it in perspective.... I cut and paste from a site for an overview.

Short Term Objectives and benchmarks

As stated above, the new IDEA law will eliminate short term objectives except in the case of a child who will be assessed annually with an alternative assessment. We will not go into detail about alternative assessments at this time, except to point out to parents that only a very few children should qualify for alternative assessments. This is to ensure that children are assessed alongside their nondisabled peers to the maximum extent possible, to measure their true base of knowledge and growth. In the case of children taking the regular assessment, the IEP should state how progress will be measured, by what means, and how often. There must be some means of measuring progress with benchmarks.

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Adrienne - mom to: Regan 17, Russell 12 DS, Autism, Visually Impaired, Reece 10.

DSAGSL 2009 Buddy Walk

Karen · Posted: March 17 2009, 1:42 PM Post subject:

Thanks again. I know it's all a "numbers" game so we'll see. At least I'm giving her a shot at regular testing. Take care.

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Karen
Mom to Alexis
"There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability - it is the ability to recognize ability"

ecki · Posted: March 18 2009, 4:24 PM Post subject:

Dumb question -- are private schools exempt from state testing?

I'm trying to get Kayla into a private special needs school (at school district expense) and I was just wondering about that since they still get an IEP that they have to follow.

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Shawn's mommy · Posted: March 20 2009, 7:58 PM Post subject: stansardized testing

Just saw your post.. Shawn has standardized testing. they give him extra time, break it up in small sections thank goodness. It is tough.. the price we pay to try to have them with main stream ... I get the information ahead of time so I can work on it. The teachers are real good about telling me what they are getting ready to test Shawn on. He has actually done really well except the Language piece. (talking). We are working on that. I find the teachers really try to work with the children. But each state is different on what is expected.. so I would make sure I had a list of the expectations at all times so you know what your dealing with and than you have no surpirses.
I can tell you this, I have already downloaded the expectations for 1st grade which is next year to start working on... so we are ahead of the game..

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Shawn's Mommy-Christy Jennifer 24 Reese 16 Shawn the big 9

Karen · Posted: March 23 2009, 11:30 AM Post subject:

Thanks for the input. Sounds like you are on the ball in starting early with your son. Unfortunately, I just recently found out the standards are online and I printed them. Wish I had know that earlier. Like your son, Alexis will get longer testing time (2 weeks instead of 1) and smaller sessions. You are right - it is hard - but the price we pay for mainstreaming!

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Karen
Mom to Alexis
"There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability - it is the ability to recognize ability"

Karen · Posted: March 23 2009, 11:37 AM Post subject: private school testing

Ecki,
Just saw your question. In TN private schools are exempt from using the same test that the public school system uses. However, it is my understanding that - just like homeschoolers - they are required to "test" in some manner so they can prove student progression. Depending on how TCAPS go for Alexis we will make the decision whether to pull her out for private school. Or at least half/half homeschool/private. You just have to weigh the benefits vs. cost and what works best for your family. Private school is very expensive and you can also lose therapies etc. that are covered in the school system. Since Alexis has SLP 3 times a week and PT and OT twice - that is giving up quite a bit. Hope this helps.

_________________

Karen
Mom to Alexis
"There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability - it is the ability to recognize ability"